PCT Merger Reveals Discrimination It was announced last month that the merging Primary Care Trusts in the county are proposing revised eligibility criteria for couples seeking IVF treatment on the NHS in the county. NLGBA were very concerned to note that these recommendations discriminate against same sex couples, considering only heterosexual couples in a long-term relationship eligible. The new criteria is due to be implemented from April 1st 2007 when the IVF treatment service resumes – currently all IVF treatment has been suspended as part of the county’s financial recovery plan. NLGBA will be questioning the inclusion of such blatant discrimination given that recent recommendations by the British Fertility Society, which appear to anticipate a new Human Embryology & Fertilisation Act, highlight the fact that single women, and same sex couples should be treated the same as heterosexual couples. It is all the more perplexing in light of the provisions of the Equality Act 2006 which outlaws discrimination in the provision of goods & services on the basis of sexual orientation as from April 2007. NLGBA will be responding to a request for comment, writing in the strongest
terms to the PCT Patient Advice and Liaison Service, and requesting a
PCT representative to explain the current criteria at the next meeting
of the Northampton Borough Council’s Lesbian, Gay & Bisexual
People’s Forum on the 8th November 2006. Please contact us with
comments, feedback or anything you would like raised at this meeting. 11.06
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